Universal tire pressure monitoring sensor

ABSTRACT

A programming system for a tire pressure monitoring device includes a programming device capable of communicating which of a plurality of communication protocols is to be utilized by the transmitter/receiver of a tire pressure monitoring device. The programming device including a user interface actuateable for communicating which of a plurality of communication protocols is to be utilized by the transmitter/receiver of the tire pressure monitoring device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/166,626 filed on Jul. 2, 2008 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/958,203 which was filed on Jul. 3, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to tire pressure monitoring devices. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a universal tire pressure monitoring device and method that is adaptable for operation according to different manufacture protocols.

A tire pressure monitoring device is typically mounted to a wheel within the tire and transmits information indicative of conditions within the tire. The transmissions and order of information are defined by a defined protocol corresponding to a receiver within the vehicle. Each automobile manufacturer has a unique preferred defined protocol to meet application specific needs and designs.

Disadvantageously, such different and unique protocols require corresponding unique tire pressure monitoring sensors, thereby complicating maintenance and service operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A disclosed example tire pressure monitoring device includes a memory that is configurable to either hold a plurality of communication protocols or to be flash programmed with a single communication program to govern operation.

An example disclosed tire pressure monitoring device includes a memory that holds several different communication protocols. Each of these communication protocols correspond to each manufacturers preferred communications protocol.

The example disclosed tire pressure monitoring device includes a memory device adapted to store a plurality of different communication protocols. Upon installation of the tire pressure monitoring device, a programming module initiates a signal to each of the tire pressure monitoring devices that selects which communication protocol will govern operation of that tire pressure monitoring device.

Another disclosed example tire pressure device includes a memory that does not include a communications protocol. The tire pressure monitoring device is flash programmed from a programming device including each of the different communication protocols for each of the different original equipment manufacturers. The tire pressure monitoring device is interfaced with the programming device and flash programmed with the desired communication protocol. The programmed tire pressure monitoring devices is then installed within the vehicle tire.

Accordingly, the example tire pressure monitoring devices are capable of operating with different systems and operating according to different communications protocols.

These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an example universal tire pressure monitoring system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of another example universal tire pressure monitoring system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a tire pressure monitoring system 10 is shown assembled within a vehicle 12. The system 10 includes a receiver 16 that receives communications from tire pressure monitoring devices 14 assembled within each of the vehicle's tires 18. As is understood by those skilled in the art, each of the tire pressure monitoring devices 14 are assembled within the tires 18 and communicate information indicative of conditions within the tires 18 to the receiver 16. These conditions include temperature, pressure, and any other desired information that aids in the monitoring of tire conditions.

The example system 10 includes the tire pressure monitoring devices 14 that all include a memory device 26. The memory device 26 is utilized for the storage of a plurality of communication protocols 28. The communication protocols 28 include individual and unique protocols that govern operation and communication between the tire pressure monitoring device 14 and the receiver 16. Because each tire pressure monitoring device 14 includes several desired communication protocols for different manufacturers, all that is required is that the tire pressure monitoring device 14 be installed within the tire 18. Once the tire pressure monitoring device 14 is installed with the tire 18, one of the plurality of communication protocols 28 is selected to govern operation and communication.

Selection of a desired one of the communication protocols is accomplished through the use of a programming device 20. The example programming device 20 emits a wireless signal 22 that is received by a corresponding one of the tire pressure monitoring devices 14. The programming device 20 includes a series of selectable buttons 24 that are actuated by an operator to indicate which of the several communication protocols is desired for that tire pressure monitoring device to operate. Although the example device 20 is shown with buttons, other display and selection configurations, such as touch screen or other selection interface are within the contemplation of this invention.

Accordingly, installation of the example universal tire pressure monitoring devices 14 includes the initial step of physically installing the tire pressure monitoring devices 14 within each of the corresponding tires 18. At this step in the installation process, no communication protocol selection is required. This is so because each of the tire pressure monitoring devices 14 has stored within it all of the desired communication protocols 28 required for communicating with any of several original equipment receivers 15.

Once the tire pressure monitoring devices 14 are physically installed within each of the tires 18, the programming device 20 is actuated. The programming device is placed proximate each of the tire pressure monitoring devices 14 to send a signal 22. The example signal 22 is a low frequency transmission received by the proximate tire pressure monitoring device 14. The signal 22 triggers the tire pressure monitoring device to operate according to a selected one of the stored communication protocols 28. For example, in this instance, if the operator selects button number one, the corresponding tire pressure monitoring device 14 will operate according to the stored communication protocol 28 indicated as 1. The tire pressure monitoring device 14 can be reclaimed and the communication protocol reset by deactivating a currently selected one of the plurality of selectable communication protocols 28 and selecting a different one of the plurality of selectable programs 28.

Of course it is within the contemplation of this invention that the controller may include other control operations not just the buttons 24 indicated in the illustrated example. Further, it is also within the contemplation of this invention that the programming device 20 may utilize other wireless communication protocols to communicate and trigger the selection of the desired communication protocol in which the corresponding tire pressure monitoring device 14 would operate.

Referring to FIG. 2, another example tire pressure monitoring system 32 utilizes a tire pressure monitoring device 34 that includes a memory 40. The memory 40 of the tire pressure monitoring device 34 does not include any communication protocol data. Instead, the memory 40 is provided with a space for a communications protocol. The tire pressure monitoring device 34 with the blank memory 40 is in essence a blank slate as indicated by 42. The blank tire pressure monitoring device 42 is inserted within a programming device 36. The programming device 36 includes a memory device 38 that stores the plurality of communication protocols 28. The tire pressure monitoring device 34 is placed into electrical communication by way of an interface with the programmer 36. The programmer 36 is then actuated to download or flash program one of the communication protocols 28 from the memory device 38 into the memory device 40 of the tire pressure monitoring device. This step is accomplished prior to installation into the vehicle 12.

Accordingly, each tire pressure monitoring device 34 that is to be assembled into a vehicle is first flash programmed using the programming device 36 to install and select a desired communication protocol 28. The tire pressure monitoring device is thereby set and capable of operation only according to that flash programmed communication protocol. Programmed tire pressure monitoring devices 34 are indicated as being programmed by reference numeral 44, can then be installed within the vehicle 12 to operate with the specific vehicle receiver 16.

During the installation process of the example system illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of blank tire pressure monitoring devices 34 would be available for flash programming upon the desired need. The example non-programmed tire pressure monitoring devices are indicated at 42. Prior to installation within the vehicle 12, each tire pressure monitoring device 34 is loaded with a program by the programming device 36. The example interface between the programming device 36 and the tire pressure monitoring device 34 is a physical connection. However, wireless connections could also be utilized for loading the desired communication protocol into the tire pressure monitoring device 34. The programmed tire pressure monitoring devices indicated at 44 can then be installed within the vehicle 12.

It should be understood that a computing device can be used to implement various functionality and operation of the example programming devices 20, and 36. In terms of hardware architecture, such a computing device can include a processor, a memory, and one or more input and/or output (I/O) device interface(s) that are communicatively coupled via a local interface. The local interface can include, for example but not limited to, one or more buses and/or other wired or wireless connections. The processor may be a hardware device for executing software, particularly software stored in memory. The processor can be a custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with the computing device, a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chip set) or generally any device for executing software instructions.

The memory can include any one or combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, VRAM, etc.)) and/or nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CD-ROM, etc.). Moreover, the memory may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Note that the memory can also have a distributed architecture, where various components are situated remotely from one another, but can be accessed by the processor.

The software in the memory may include one or more separate programs, each of which includes an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. When constructed as a source program, the program is translated via a compiler, assembler, interpreter, or the like, which may or may not be included within the memory.

Accordingly, the example tire pressure monitoring devices 14, 34 and programming devices 20, 36 provide a system and device capable of operating according to different communication protocols.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A programming system for a tire pressure monitoring device comprising: at least one tire pressure monitoring device for installation within a vehicle tire, each tire pressure monitoring device includes a memory device capable of storing a first program and a second program, the first program configured to govern operations and communications of the tire pressure monitoring device according to a first protocol associated with a first automobile manufacturer, the second program configured to govern operations and communications of the tire pressure monitoring device according to a second protocol associated with a second automobile manufacturer, a transmitter/receiver for communicating information to a receiver mounted within a vehicle, and a sensor for measuring at least one parameter indicative of conditions within the vehicle tire; and a programming device capable of communicating which of the first program or the second program is to be utilized by the transmitter/receiver of the at least one tire pressure monitoring device for communicating with the receiver mounted within a vehicle, wherein a selection of one of the first program or the second program causes deactivation of a third program that has been active immediately before the deactivation occurs and the selection is accomplished by an indicator that is non-specific to an automobile manufacturer, the programming device including a physical interface for locating the at least one tire pressure monitoring device with respect to the programming device, the programming device further including a user interface actuateable for communicating one of the first program or the second program to the transmitter/receiver of the at least one tire pressure monitoring device, wherein the physical interface comprises a physical connection between the programming device and the tire pressure monitoring device defined on the programming device, the physical connection comprising a mounting location including a cavity shaped for receiving a tire pressure monitoring device.
 2. The programming system as recited in claim 1, wherein the transmitter/receiver is configured to receive a wireless signal from the programming device indicating which of one of the first program or the second program is to govern operation of the transmitter/receiver of the tire pressure monitoring device.
 3. The programming system as recited in claim 2, wherein the programming device emits a wireless signal receivable by the transmitter/receiver responsive to actuation of a selected portion of the user interface for instructing which of the first program or the second program governs operation of the tire pressure monitoring sensor.
 4. The programming system as recited in claim 2, wherein the physical interface defines a communication link between the programming device and the tire pressure monitoring device for communicating a selected one of the first program or the second program to be utilized by the transmitter/receiver of the tire pressure monitoring device.
 5. The programming system as recited in claim 4, wherein the physical interface comprises a physical connection between the programming device and the tire pressure monitoring device defined on the programming device includes an electrical connection between the programming device and the tire pressure monitoring device.
 6. The programming system as recited in claim 5, wherein the physical interface: i) comprises a mount for receiving and providing support to the at least one tire pressure monitoring device, ii) substantially limits movement of the at least one tire pressure monitoring device with respect to the programming device, iii) includes an opening defining a shape that corresponds to an outer shape of the at least one tire pressure monitoring device, and iv) orientates the at least one tire pressure monitoring device widthwise and generally parallel with respect to the user interface.
 7. The programming system as recited in claim 6, wherein the programming device includes a display and the user interface actuateable for communicating one of the first program or the second program to the transmitter/receiver of the tire pressure monitoring device comprises a plurality of buttons operable to select items viewable on the display including elements representing a desired program.
 8. The programming system as recited in claim 7, wherein the programming device includes a memory device for storing the first program or the second program defining operation of the transmitter/receiver of the tire pressure monitoring device, wherein the memory device of the at least one tire pressure monitoring device is configured for flash programming and is reprogrammable through the use of the programming device, and wherein the programming device programs the tire pressure monitoring device using a low frequency wireless transmission.
 9. The programming system as recited in claim 1, wherein the physical interface comprises a mount for receiving and providing support to the at least one tire pressure monitoring device.
 10. The programming system as recited in claim 9, wherein the physical interface substantially limits movement of the at least one tire pressure monitoring device with respect to the programming device.
 11. The programming system as recited in claim 10, wherein the physical interface includes an opening defining a shape that corresponds to an outer shape of the at least one tire pressure monitoring device.
 12. The programming system as recited in claim 11, wherein the physical interface orientates the at least one tire pressure monitoring device widthwise and generally parallel with respect to the user interface.
 13. The programming system as recited in claim 1, wherein the programming device includes a display and the user interface actuateable for communicating one of the first program or the second program to the transmitter/receiver of the tire pressure monitoring device comprises a plurality of buttons operable to select items viewable on the display including elements representing a desired program.
 14. The programming system as recited in claim 1, wherein the programming device includes a memory device for storing the first program or the second program defining operation of the transmitter/receiver of the tire pressure monitoring device.
 15. The programming system as recited in claim 14, wherein the memory device of the at least one tire pressure monitoring device is configured for flash programming.
 16. The programming system as recited in claim 15, wherein the memory device of the at least one tire pressure monitoring device is reprogrammable through the use of the programming device.
 17. The programming system as recited in claim 16, wherein the programming device programs the tire pressure monitoring device using a low frequency wireless transmission.
 18. The programming system as recited in claim 17, wherein the physical interface and user interface are combined into a single integrated unit.
 19. The programming system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one tire pressure monitoring device comprises a plurality of tire pressure monitoring devices.
 20. The programming system as recited in claim 16, wherein the plurality of tire pressure monitoring devices are simultaneously programmed.
 21. The programming system as recited in claim 1, wherein the programming device is electrically connected to the at least one tire pressure monitoring device through a wired connection.
 22. A programming device for a tire pressure monitoring system comprising: a memory device storing a first program and a second program, the first program configured to govern operations and communications of the tire pressure monitoring device according to a first protocol associated with a first automobile manufacturer, the second program configured to govern operations and communications of the tire pressure monitoring device according to a second protocol associated with a second automobile manufacturer; a physical interface for locating a tire pressure monitoring device with respect to the programming device; wherein the physical interface comprises a mount comprising a cavity having shape configured to receive and provide support to the at least one tire pressure monitoring device; and a user interface actuateable for communicating one of the first program or the second program to the transmitter/receiver of the tire pressure monitoring device and wherein the user interface is further configured to communicate a selection of one of the first program or second program that has been stored at the tire pressure monitoring device, the selection being accomplished by an indicator that is non-specific to an automobile manufacturer, the selection of one the first program or the second program being effective to cause deactivation of a third program at the tire pressure monitoring device, the third program having been active immediately before the deactivation occurs.
 23. The programming device as recited in claim 22, wherein the user interface comprises a display and manually operable features actuateable for communicating one of the first program or the second program to the transmitter/receiver of the tire pressure monitoring device, wherein the display includes elements representing a desired communication protocol.
 24. The programming device as recited in claim 23, wherein the physical interface for communicating with a tire pressure monitoring device comprises a wireless signal receivable by the transmitter/receiver responsive to actuation of a selected portion of the manually operable interface instructing which of the first program or the second program governs operation of the tire pressure monitoring sensor.
 25. The programming device as recited in claim 24, wherein the physical interface defines a communication link between the programming device and the tire pressure monitoring device for communicating a selected one of the first program or the second program to be utilized by the transmitter/receiver of the tire pressure monitoring device.
 26. The programming device as recited in claim 22, wherein the physical interface substantially limits movement of the at least one tire pressure monitoring device with respect to the programming device.
 27. The programming device as recited in claim 26, wherein the cavity shape that corresponds to an outer shape of the at least one tire pressure monitoring device.
 28. The programming device as recited in claim 27, wherein the physical interface orientates the at least one tire pressure monitoring device widthwise and generally parallel with respect to the user interface.
 29. A tire pressure monitoring device configured to be installed within a vehicle tire, the device comprising: a memory device configured to store a first program and a second program, the first program configured to govern operations and communications of the tire pressure monitoring device according to a first protocol associated with a first automobile manufacturer, the second program configured to govern operations and communications of the tire pressure monitoring device according to a second protocol associated with a second automobile manufacturer; a transmitter/receiver coupled to the memory device, the transmitter/receiver configured to communicate information to a receiver mounted within a vehicle; and a sensor coupled to the memory device and the transmitter/receiver, the sensor configured to measure at least one parameter indicative of conditions within the vehicle tire; wherein a selection of the first program or the second program to be utilized is received at the tire pressure monitoring device and wherein a selection of one of the first program or the second program causes deactivation of a third program stored in the memory device, the third program having been active immediately before the deactivation occurs, and the selection is accomplished by an indicator that is non-specific to an automobile manufacturer.
 30. The tire pressure monitoring device of claim 29 wherein the selection is received via a wireless link.
 31. The tire pressure monitoring device of claim 29 wherein the selection is received via a wired link. 